Laugh often, long, and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. Laugh
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laughter!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Urgent Prayers and Help Needed!!!

Dear friends,

This is so very difficult to write but I realize it should be done. We have shared that we have been having problems with one of our adopted children but it has escalated into a very serious situation. Stephanie has caused serious harm to two of our children and can no longer remain in our home. CPS came by yesterday and had planned to leave our home to go to Stephanie's school and pick her up (without even a goodbye) and take her into custody. After long talks with the social worker we agreed that we could very short term keep our children safe while looking into alternatives. We have until Tuesday until we speak with them again. As of now, if Stephanie is removed from our home they say her issues and age make it very unlikely they will be able to place her in a family setting. She will likely head to a group home hours away from us. We feel this could be a very bad thing for her. We have very few options, but one option may be to find another family for her ourselves. It would have to be a family without young or mentally disabled children, without sexually active children, and a family willing to help her with very serious issues.

We have no idea what is going to happen. We know it is a real stretch to find her a home at her age and with her issues, but we must at least TRY! Will you please keep our family covered in prayer during this extremely difficult time? Could you please pass on this information and our contact information with anyone you know of that may be able to consider taking in Stephanie?

We ask that you would please pray pray pray pray. We are in the need of a miracle here! We know many of you will have questions about what happened. We ask that, unless you need to know to decide about taking in Stephanie, you please refrain from seeking the details of what brought this about. We want to seek help and a home for Stephanie but do not want to get into situations of simply gossiping about the situation. Our family is hurting in very big ways and your support and friendships are always very much appreciated.

So sorry your family is going through this. I am a member of a disruption group on Yahoo. There are many people on groups like this seeking to adopt children from disruption or who have rehomed their children. There may be help on there for you. I will pray for you and Stephanie.

I am praying for you! If you want, I have a friend who has adopted 26 kids...yes 26, and they had to find help for one of their children that sounds a lot like your situation. They have also adopted a haitian girl that was disrupted, so they may be of help in that regard too. E-mail me, and I will get the 2 of you in contact if you want. She is an amazing woman of God, and has sooooooooooo much experience and wisdom!!!!

Angela,(You don't need to publish this. I am sending it this way because I don't have a way to email you.:)) I have a friend that works with families who need to place their children in new families. She would very much like to help you with Stephanie. She knows this particular pain very well as she has helped other families and also has adopted out of disruptions herself. She is extremely sensitive. She is more than willing to do what she can to help you. She is a Christian and so very tender with families experiencing this. If you are at all able, email me please ok? I'm so so sorry sweetie that you are in this particular place. God has not forgotten you dear girl. He hasn't. dawn

I will be praying for your family... I know your heart must be breaking... I was going to mention contacting Christine (who has/is adopting from Russia) but, I see she has already left a comment here... she seems to help with these kinds of situations a lot...

I'll be praying for you all.In the mean time, please contact this lady: http://thebodiebunch.blogspot.com/She's the simply parent of 39, and has several with mental illness and quite dangerous too. She knows all there is to know about options for children (there is residencial options when a mental illness is behind it).A group home is not a good option for Steph. as she will abuse and be abused over there.

We will be praying. I sent an email but not sure if you got it. Have you looked at CHASK? They sometimes help families find new families for their children. I have seen them help several families that have had to disrupt adoptions. Big Hugs.

You & your family have been heavy on my heart for several days & I wanted to share some blogs of some large adoptive families currently dealing with mental illness that may help you to understand or at least give you a different propective. All of these ladies are very knowledgeable regarding the services available for mentally ill minors (or lack there of) & I hope they can give you comfort.